Egypt jails Jazeera journalists for up to 10 years

Breaking News June 23, 2014 00:00

CAIRO - An Egyptian court Monday sentenced three Al-Jazeera journalists including Australian Peter Greste to jail terms ranging from seven to 10 years after accusing them of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

Greste and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy each got seven years, while producer Baher Mohamed received two sentences -- one for seven years and another for three years.

The three were among 20 defendants in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt.

Eleven defendants who were tried in absentia, including three foreign journalists, were given 10-year sentences.

Of the six defendants in custody along with the three journalists, four were sentenced to seven years and two were acquitted.